Safety vent for pressure cookers



Feb. 24, 1948.

B. D. 4GOLDBER'G SAFETY VENT FOR PRESSURE COOKERS Filed July 28; 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 24, 1948. B. D. GOLDBERG SAFETY VENT FOR PRESSURE COOKERS Filed July 28, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEY Patented Feb. 24, 1948 "A yoEElcE SAFETY VENT FOR PRESSURE COQKERS Benjamin D. Goldberg, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application July 28, 1944, Serial No. 547,051

This invention relates to pressure cookers. An object o! this invention is to provide a pressure cooker comprising a container having a handle, and a cover therefor likewise having a handle, and interlocking means on the cover and container so constructed that the cover may be secured to the container by rotating the cover relative to the container with the interlocking lmeans invisible, the interlocking means being further so constructed in relation to the handles that the relative position of the handles serves to indicate whether the cover is locked to or unlocked from the container, thatwhen the handles are above each other and in vertical registry the interlocking means will permit the cover to be fitted on the container in exact position preparatory to interlocking. Thus the positioning of the handles in registry serves to indicate that the cover is in such angular position relative to the container as to permit the cover to be fitted onto the container or taken oil? the container,

whereas the positioning of the handles i`n diverging relative relations indicates to the user that the cover is locked. .e

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker of the character described comprising a container and a cover therefor, said container and cover having mutually interlocking lugs and a flexible seal interposed between the cover and container for effecting a tight seal, this seal being held in position by its inner circumferential edge slightly stretched and snugly fitted to the cooker, its outer open edge being away from the cooking chamber so that no particles can be deposited around its edge.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker comprising a container and a cover therefor, with a radial handle on each, and a relief vent through the cover, one of the handles being swingable to a position over the vent to rest thereon and cover the same, thereby maintaining pressure within the cocker equivalent to that of the weight of the handle resting on the vent.

Another object lof this invention is to provide, in a pressure cooker of the character described, means on the handle to adjust the weight imposed on lthe vent by the handle, thereby to regulate various degrees of pressure at which the vent will open. -4

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker of the character described 7 Claims. (Cl. 220-44) swingable to overly the vent, the construction being such that the handle must be swung on the vent to release the pressure within the cooker and permit the escape of steam, to avoid the possibility of injury to the user, before the handle assumes an extended position to facilitate rotation of the cover to release it from the container.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker of the character described comprising a container member and a cover member, and a handle on one of said members serving either to close a vent in the cover -for preventing internal pressure within thev container from escaping through the vent until i-t has reached a given degree of pressure or serving for the purpose of aiding in rotating the member to which it is connected, relative to the other member, said handle being operative for only one of said purposes at a time.

A further object-of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker of the character described comprising a container and a cover therefor, a radial handle on the container and Va radial handle on the cover, and a vent on the cover, the construction being such that no pressure can be built up within the cooker while the handles are in a radially extending position.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a pressure cooker of the character described comprising a container and a cover therefor, and a seal plate centrally attached to the underside `ofthe cover and having means to engage the rim edge of the container, and a vent passing with a vent and. means for covering said vent, V

said-means, though attached to vthe cover, being movable toa position to uncover the vent and in 'such position to serve as a handle for the cover.

The means covering the vent may also become a handle for the container vif attached to the container.

comprising a container and a cover thereon, ar'

' vent on the cover; and handles on the containerv and cover respectively, one of said handles being Yet another object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable pressure cooker of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate,

y aisance 3 safe to operate, and yet practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described. and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure cooker embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in cross-section.

Fig. 2 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of a pressure cooker embodying the invention and illustrating a modified form thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modied form of handle for the cover, adjustable to vary the pressure at which the vent is relieved.

Fig. 4 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of a handle embodying the-invention and illustrating a modified form thereof and shown on the cover to close a vent.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in section and similar to Fig. 2, and illustrating a modiication. Y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary the device shown in Fig. larged scale to illustrate the seal for the cooker.

Fig. '1 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and illustrating another form of the seal. y

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in cross-section and showing a still further modiication.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the modication shown in Fig. 8, with parts broken away and illustrating the interlocked position of cover and container.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation (partly in section) of a further modification.

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary elevation of still a further modification of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. l, I0 designates a pressure cooker embodying the invention and comprising a container II and a cover I2. The container II has a. bottom wall IIa and a cylindrical wall I3. On said cylindrical wall I3 is a horizontal radial projection to which there is fixed, in any suitable manner, a handle 2|. Cylindrical wall I3 has an annular upper rim edge I4. Said cylindrical wall I3 is furthermore formed on the outer side thereof, below the rim I4 thereof, with an outwardly extending annular flange I5 parallel to the rim I4. Said cylindrical wall I3 is furthermore formed on the outer surface thereof and between rim I4 and ilange I5 with a plurality of similar, spaced, inclined or part-helical locking ribs or lugs I6 having spaces I1 therebetween. Said cylindrical wall I3 is also formed on the outer surface thereof between the lugs or ribs I8 and ange i5 with an annular groove I9 above flange I5 and parallel thereto.

Fitted Within the circumferential groove I9 and extending outwardly therefrom is a horizontal sealing ring or gasket 22 overlying the annular flange I5.

The cover I2 has a top wall 25 and is formed with an integral downwardly extending cylin- :ii-ical wall 28 adapted to receive the upper end 0f the container. Wall 26 is formed on the inner surface thereof with a plurality of inwardly extending similar. spaced ribs or lugs 21 adapted to cross-sectional view of 1 and drawn to an enformed with a through opening 3 I.

pass through the spaces I1 and then engage vbel nesth the lugs IC as the cover is rotated relative to the container, for interlocking the cover to the container. The cover is formed on the inner surface thereof with an adapted to press the ring or gasket 22 down against ange I5 when the cover is interlocked with the container to form a seal. Fixed to the cover and extending through a hole in the cover is an upwardly extending tubular projection 30 The opening II is a vent for the relief of pressure from the container.

Formed with wall 25 of the cover are spaced parallel, vertical ears 32 formed with aligned openings 33 supporting a transverse horizontal pivot pin I4. Pivoted to the pin 34 is a handle 35 for the cover. The handle 35 may be formed with a central apertured ear l5 disposed between ears 32 and formed with an opening through which the pivot pin 34 passes.

On the handle are vertical shoulders 31 to contact a surface 38 on the ears 32 to retain the handle in horizontal position when the handle is swung outwardly to the extended position shown in Fig. 1. Handle 35 is formed witha recess 35a adapted to receive a gasket for contacting the upper edge of .the tubular projection 30, when the handle is swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l, overlying the cover'l The handles on the cover and container are so located relative to the lugs 21 and I8 that when the handles 35 and 2| are in registry, that is one above the other as shown in Fig. 1, the lugs 21 of the cover are aligned with and will pass through the spaces I1. Thus, vertical alignment of the handles serves as a guide to indicate the relative position of the locking lugs, and in such position the pressure cooker is unlocked.

Rotation of the cover relative to the container II will lock the cover to the container. To cause rotation of the cover relative to the container, the handles l5 and 2l are pulled horizontally in opposite directions. thus moving the handles out of registry to a position where the handles will diverge or be separated, one relative to the other,

'and in such position the cover will be locked to the container.

Thus, the user desiring to place the cover on the container will place the cover in a position where the handle 35 is directly over handle 2|, and in such position the lugs 21 will pass through the spaces I1 thereby facilitating manipulation of the cooker. If it is desired to unlock the cover, the user merely moves the handles 35, ZI from unaligned position to aligned or registering position, and then he will know that the cover is in such position that it can be lifted on the container. It will thus be seen that no searching or feeling is required to locate the lugs relative to each other.

It will be noted, furthermore, that handle 35 has more than one use. It serves as a handle for supporting and for rotating the cover; as a pressure regulatorv when it covers the vent opening to prevent escape of internal pressure within the container `until the pressure reaches a predetermined value: and since it' must be lifted off the vent in order to open the rocker, it further serves to permit the discharge o'f the accumulated pressure before removing the cover from the container so as to avoid the possibility of injury to the user.

It will be noted, furthermore, that the handle can have only one of such uses at a time. Thus if the handle is swung overv the top of the cover internal shoulder 28 it serves to control the vent closure during the of tongue 42 so as to feel the scale grooves 43. cooking operation. The user must swing the han- Upon sliding the sleeve 44 outwardly on tongue dle back to the extended full line position of Fig. 42, the weight upon the vent tube is increased, 1 to relieve pressure before the cover is'unlocked. thereby increasing the relief pressure. Thus the In Fig. 2 there is shown a pressure cooker |8a 6 desired relief pressure may be easily adjusted.

embodying the invention and illustrating another It will be noted that the tube 38 in Fig. 1 is form thereof. The cooker |a comprises containoset from the center of the cover toward the er having a bottom wall 1| and a cylindrical handle hinge pin 34. The advantage of this conwall 12 formed with an upper rim edge 13. Exstruction is that a greater pressure can be imtending from cylindrical wall 12 is an extension 10 posed on the vent.

-`|4 to which is screwed a radial rod 15. On rod In Fig. 4 there is shown a handle 35h illus- 15 is a handle 16 formed with a through opentrating another modified form of handle with ing through which the rod 15 passes. Cylindriadjustable weight. Handle 35h is formed with cal wall 12 is formed on the outer surface therean apertured ear 50 for receiving the pivot pin 34 0f with a Set 0f spaced lugs I6 similar to those ,5 on the cover I2. Screwed to the ear 50 is a rod ment 18. On the.conta1'ner 10 is a cover 80 which slot 54a at the top wall of-the chamber. Rod is formed with a top wall 8| and with a. down- 20 5| passes through said chamber. Slidably mountwardly extending cylindrical wall 82 provided on ed on rod 5| and disposed within chamber 54 the inner surface thereof with spaced ribs orl lugs is a weight 56 provided with an upwardly extend- 21 similar to the lugs 21 shown in Fig. 1 for ening marker 51 projecting through slot 54a. On gagement with the lugs I6. The lugs 21 pass the underside of handle portion 55 is formed a through the Spaces between the lugs I6, and ro- 95 recess 60 in which is placed a disk 51ur adapted tation of the cover then interlocks the same to to contact the upper edge of tube on the cover the container. On cylindrical wall 02 of cover I2. Shifting of the weight 56 adjusts the presare spaced, apertured ears 85 carrying a transsure at which the vent will open.

verse pin 86. Pivoted to pin 86 is a cover handle In Fig. 5 there is shown a pressure cooker |0b 81 which comprises an apertured ear 81a re- 30 comprisingacontainer I|0andacover adapt- The handle 81, furthermore, comprises a rod 88 with a sealing plate |08 to engage the upper screwed to the ear 81a, and received onthe rod rim edge of the container. The cover I is, in is a handle member 89. Handle member 89 is 35 this case, provided with a nxed handle 2 while formed with a recess 90 receiving a gasket or container lln has a handle H3 pivoted to a boss washer 9| for the purpose hereinafter appearing. I4 of the container. When the handle ||3 is Cover 00 is formed with a. central opening 93. extended to the full line position shown in Fig. 5 through which extends a tubular member 94 and'alongside of handle II2, the cover plate III formed at its lower end with an outwardly extend- 40 is in such angular position relative to the con- 94 isa nut 96. Attached to the underside of` latter. Then upon horizontally separating the cover 80 is a seal plate |80 preferably made of handles I I2 and ||3, the interlocking lugs on the resilient material such as sheet steel. Plate 00 cover and container interlock. In this form the is formed with a central opening |0| through 45 handle ||3 may be swung tothe dotted line powhich passes the shank of tube 94. Flange 95 sition shown in Fig. 5 to cover the vent opening contacts the underside of plate |00. Tube 94 ||5. may be ixed to the plate |80, if desired. Inter- In Fig. 6 there is shown a fragmentary section posed between nut 96 and the top of cover 80 is oi' pressure cooker similar to pressure cooker I 8, a. washer or gasket |82. Plate |80 has a gen- 50 drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing the erally concave portion |05 and a peripheral angroove |921 just above the flange I5 so that the nular beaded portion terminating in a flange |86 gasket or ring 22 rests on the ilange and is enforming on its underside an annular shoulder gaged by the shoulder 2a of the cover I2 when |81. Seated on the shoulder |01 is a ring gasket thev cover is interlocked. It will be noted that |08 Contacting the upper rim 73. 0f Container 55 the sealing ring or gasket 22 is gripped or held forms a Central DiVOt between Seal plate |00 and of the container to avoid contact with food with--A cover 8|. Obviously. in this modification. the 50 in the container. No free edge ofthe sealing ring seal plate |00 will be pressed downwardly and will extends into the container space. not rotate on its gasket to cause wear while the In Fig. 7 there is shown 'a modied form of cover 80 rotates to lock the container. pressure cooker somewhat similar to pressure In Fig. 3 there iS ShOWIl a handle 39 S0 C011- cooker |'0a, with the sealing plate |00 omitted. `structed as to allow for adjustment of the relief 45 Instead, the cover 8| is provided with an annupressure for the cooker. -The handle 39 comprises lar downwardly extending rim or 11p |30 comenan apertured ear 40 from which there extends a tric with the outer skirt or wall Isl, and formed fiat shank 4|. Extending from the shank 4| is with an annular external groove |32 to receive an elongated tongue 42 Which may be marked the inner edge of an annular ring or gasket |33, with a scale 43. Slidably mounted on tongue n so that the free edge of the gasket extends to- 42 is a at sleeve 44 formed with alongitudinal wards the outer wall |3I. When the cover is slot 45 to receive the tongue. The cross-section interlocked to the container by means of interofsleeve 44 is substantially the same as shank lockinglugs I6 and 21. the gasket |33 contacts portion 4|. Attached to the inner end of sleeve the upper rim edge 13a of the container 10 to 44 is a leaf spring 46 adapted to contact the top 75 seal the cover 8| to the container.

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a further modified form in which the handle |40 is hinged as at I4 to the cover which is provided with a lar nipple 30 having the vent opening 3|, but in this case the vent is located diametrically opposite the pivot $4 oi the handle. The free end of the handle is provided with a tapered projection |4| arranged to extend into the top of the vent like a valve plug. If it be desired to regulate the pressure in the cooker, the handle |40 may be provided with adjustable sliding weight means as illustrated in Fig. 4. The pivoted end o! the handle may be provided with the right angled extension |42, the lower end of which may be engaged by the hinge pin $4. The container may have fixed handle Zia and be provided with iiange i upon which rests sealing gasket ,22. The container may also have luge IC for interlocking association with lugs 11 on the cover.

It may be desired to have both the cover handle and the container rigid and still obtain ad-4 vantages of the invention. To this end there is shown in Fig. l0 a modification in which the handies |44 and |45 are rigidly ailixed to their respective parts. The cover is provided with a 30 and with an indentation or notch |41. An elongated tubular bai' |48 may be used to have one end rest upon the vent tube 30 and a right-angled extension |48a having its tapered to nest in the depression or notch |41. The tubular or chambered bar i may be provided with a weight 56a, slidably adjustable longitudinally of the bar by means of the button 51h extending above the surface oi convenience in lifting and replacing it may be provided with a handle |48.

In Fig. 11 there is shown a further modliication wherein the extending handles may be omitted. In this form, by way of example, thereis shown container |60 provided with ashort handle or grip |6|. VThe .cover "|62 may be provided with a grip member |63 pivoted at |64 to rest on the edge oi the cover as shown in full lines, so that the grips IBI and |83 may be grasped by the hands of the user in order to manipulate the cover relative to the container. vWhen the container and cover are interlocked, the cover grip |63 may be swung over into the dotted line position in Fig. 1l, to rest upon the vent 30 as previously explained.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects oi this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of lthe above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above 'set forth, it is to be understood that all mat-l ter herein set forth or shown in the accompanylng drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein a cover .and pot are interlockingly engaged and sealed by relative rotation between them about a common axis; the pot, a radially extending handle on the cover, a vent through said cover, the cover handle being pivoted horizontally to the cover and swingable in a verticalfarc selectively to either of two positions, first to a position overlying and closing the vent, and second to a position radially end adapted a radially extending handle on` 8 extending beyo the periphery of the cover to serve as a lever arm for cooperation with the pot handle to facilitate rotating the cover relative to the pot and whereby said pivoted handle is inoperative as a vent closure.

2. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein the container and cover have spaced interlocking lugs engageable upon rotating the cover relative to the container, a sealing gasket between the cover and the container, a vent through said cover, a radially extending handle on the container and a handle pivoted to the cover about a horizontal pivot and positionable radially outwardly oi the cover to serve as a lever arm for cooperation with the container handle to facilitate rotating the cover relative to the container to lock and unlock the same, said cover handle being swingable to a position overlying and resting upon and closing the ven 3. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein a cover and pot are interlockingiy engaged and sealed by relative rotation between them about a common axis; a radially extending handle on the pot, a radially extending handle on the cover, a vent through said cover, the cover handle being pivoted horizontally to the cover and swingable in a vertical arc selectively to either of two positions, nrst to a position overlying and closing the vent, and second to a position radially the periphery of the cover to serve as a lever arm for cooperation with the pot handle to facilitate rotating the cover relative to the pot and whereby said pivoted handle is inoperative as a vent closure, and means on said pivoted handle to vary the weight overlying the vent.

4. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein a cover and pot have mutually interlocking lugs which are interlockingly engaged and sealed by relative rotation between the cover and pot about a common axis; a radially extending handle on the pot, a radially extending handle on the cover, a vent through said cover, the cover handle being pivoted horizontally to the cover and swingable in a vertical arc selectively to either of two positions, first to a position overlying and closing the vent, and second to a position radially exii tending beyond the periphery of the cover to serve as a lever arm for cooperation with the pot handle to facilitate rotating the cover relative to the pot and whereby said pivoted handle is inoperative as a vent closure, said handles being so disposed with relation to the interlocking lugs that the handles are in substantially vertical alignment when the members are unlocked, and in divergent relative relation when the members are interlocked.

5. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein the container member and cover member have spaced interlocking lugs engageable upon rotating one member relative to the other, a vent through one of the members, an arm on each of said members radially extending beyond the periphery of said members. one of said arms being pivoted to its respective member about a horizontal pivot and selectively positionable either radially outwardly of its member or inwardly to a position overlying and resting upon and closing said vent.

6. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein the container member and cover member have spaced interlocking lugs engageable upon rotating one member relativeto the other, a vent through one of the members, an arm on each of said members radially extending beyond the periphery of said members, one of said arms being pivoted to its respective member about a horizontal pivot and selectively positionable either radially outwardly o! its member or inwardly to a position overlying and resting upon and closing said vent, and

means on said pivoted arm to vary the weight 5 overlying the vent.

7. In a pressure cooker of the type wherein the container member and cover member have spaced interlocking lugs engageable upon rotating one member relative to the other, a seal plate between the cover ,and container members, a vent through the seal plate and the cover member, an arm on each of said members radially extending beyond the periphery of said members, one of said arms being pivoted to its respective member about a horizontal pivot and selectively positionable either radially outwardly of its member or inwardly to a position overlying and resting upon and closing said vent.

BENJAMIN D. GOLDBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are o! record in the tile oi' this patent:

Number Number l0 28,574 624,155

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Spencer May 12, 1868 Schaefer Aug, 17, 1886 McKinley Oct. 13, 1891 Pinson Aug. 24, 1909 Nash Nov. 7, 1916 Ludngton Dec. 21, 1937 Cossais Dec. 28, 1937 Walker Dec. 6, 1938 Nelson Apr. 23, 1940 Wittenberg Oct, 15, 1940- Stroupe et al. Dec. 81, v1940 Hailey Sept. 2, 1941 Sheridan Nov. 16, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Sept. 11, 1804 France ---M Mar. 29, 1927 

